Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

My MacBook Air still has the problem even with the fix script. (https://gist.github.com/ejdyksen/8302862)

When using bootcamp there is no problem with the resolution of 5120x1440 on the Dell U4919DW. Did Apple gave any feedback or is there some kind of offical bug tool where I can report it?

marino389 wrote:

Can anyone confirm this for me?

I'm looking at purchasing a MacBook Pro that will be compatible with the U4919DW monitor. I want it to work properly without any "workarounds." Full resolution out of the box. My understanding from this thread is that it must be a dedicated graphics card instead of the integrated one.

I talked to Apple sales today and I was told that ALL 13" MBPs (without exception) have integrated cards. And that ALL 15" MBPs (without exception) have dedicated cards. I was also told that you cannot customize a 13" to have a dedicated card.

Is this correct?

If you want it to just work you will need to purchase a 15" MBP. It will work without problems. It does not work directly with a MBP 13", for no other reason than Apple will not create a display overlay for it. It works just fine w/ a MBP 13" running Windows 10. So its MacOS not the hardware.

JeanLuc7 wrote:

I have to admit, I'm pretty happy with the solution of running the monitor as two virtual 27 "monitors, and the PbP mode gives you the ability to flip an app to full screen on the left or right side of the monitor. It does not take up the entire width of the screen, but only half the width, as it used to when I had two monitors, and if I really need the full width for an Excel spreadsheet (whenever), then I can manually enlarge the window to the whole width.

Even if Apple should fix the error, I will probably not change my setup. Ok, it took me two TB3 ports instead of one, but I had the full 5120x1440 resolution available from the first day.

I was able to get this to work, but it annoys me that I have to use 2 cables. I don't like the placement of the dock. I would like it to be in the middle of the monitor and it's not. It's in the middle of the first virtual monitor. I mean I guess it's ok but I would certainly prefer to use the Mac / monitor combo the way I know it is capable of being used with the single cable.

"I don't like the placement of the dock. I would like it to be in the

middle of the monitor and it's not. It's in the middle of the first

virtual monitor. "

Yes, for "dock-bottom" users, this is an issue. Mine is on the right side - there is so much less vertical space than horizontal that I did not want wasting it for the dock. The only remaining issue is the menu bar, which starts in the middle of my screen - but on the other side it helps to shorten mouse moves.

The fundamental problem is not the adapter you are using. Did you try using the Moshi Adapter yourself or are you just speculating? I purchased this adapter and I am still only able to achieve the 4K resolution. Maybe you can give the community more information regarding your setup and how you were able to achieve 5K using this adapter.

I have been struggling to get the U4919DW to run at 5120x1440 for about a week now and the best solution would be to purchase an eGPU enclosure, GFX Card and possibly a PSU. Currently, using one Thunderbolt 3 connection to my 13" 2019 MacBook Pro I was able to achieve this result using the equipment as follows:

a. OWC Mercury Helios FX eGPU Enclosure ($300)

b. XFX AMD Radeon RX 580 Graphics Card. ($179)

c. Corsair CX650M Modular PSU (Although might not be necessary) ($80)

d. Apple Thunderbolt 3 Cable (Host - eGPU) ($60) 

e. DIsplayPort Cable included with U4919DW (eGPU - U4919DW)

When I initially connected the eGPU to the Host, the entire system shutdown and subsequently went into an infinite boot -reboot crash cycle. To resolve, I completely reformatted the BootDrive to factory conditions including any partitions or APFS containers I had created to "start fresh".

Once MacOS 10.14.6 was installed, I connected the Thunderbolt 3 cable from the eGPU to the left hand side of my MacBook Pro and the display woke up and to my relief in all its 5k glory.

It's only a $600 work around and I needed an eGPU anyways because they are awesome, but it is the only solution so far that works for me, and I've tried everything - including every suggestion posted in the forum.

The dual display trick is ratchet to be clear to anyone who endorses it.

@askingretail Thank you for sharing your setup; personally $600 is a lot of money to spend after having spent £2000 on a new MacBook Pro.

I have installed Catalina and it does not solve the issue. Actually, now MacOS thinks it is a hi-dpi display and switched to a default "optimal" resolution of 1920x540.

I cannot believe that Apple can get away with advertising that this MacBook Pro can drive 5120x2880 resolution when it is not true with all the monitors. Are specs advertised on a website legally binding? Could we sue Apple for this?

I updated to Catalina earlier today as well. Were you able to change it to 5120x1440? I am using a similar monitor (CRG9) and I can see 5120x1440 listed as low resolution. It works but it is not ideal.

I have the same issue with my MacBook Pro 2019 15 inches hooked to lg 49 inches monitor. I am able to see the list of resolution options you mentioned in the post. Where can I find them? I just upgraded to the latest OS too. Thanks

"I cannot believe that Apple can get away with advertising that this

MacBook Pro can drive 5120x2880 resolution when it is not true with all

the monitors."

Your MBP works properly with 5120x2880. It is this special 5120x1440 resolution that does not work - and it is macOS-related. Try Windows with Bootcamp, and you get 5120x1440 OOB. It's the way how they implemented the Intel graphics driver. Looks like there should be a table with valid resolutions to be updated. However, they don't care.

With a 15" MBP (and the AMD graphics chip) you should be able to run 5120x1440 OOB. At least with 10.14 Mojave, this has never been an issue with 15" models, it was related to 13" models and the new Mac mini 2018. Try SwitchResX, if you cannot find the right solution in Catalina.

"I can see 5120x1440 listed as low resolution."

What you see is actually a 3840x1080 resolution and a scaled 5120x1440 picture. Just check the information box supported by your monitor - it tells you that you still run 3840x1080. This is the standard situation with 13" MBP models and the Mac mini when you use SwitchResX. But the only working solution for these models is using the Picture-by-Picture mode and two cables, one USBC-to-USBC and another USBC-to-Displayport.

I installed the trial version of switchresx app on my MacBook Pro 2019 15 inches, and it seemed working to raise the resolution level to 5440 for my 49 inches monitor. I am going to purchase a license for this app.

Any comments for this? Thanks

Just upgraded to Catalina and now my egpu won't do 5120x1440. It was working in Mojave. Running a 2019 Mac mini. Didn't want to do the picture-by-picture thing so I bought a Blackmagic egpu Radeon 580. I have the Philips 499P9H but it's the equivalent of the Dell U4919DW. I was hoping Catalina might have removed the need for the egpu. Now not only is it not available natively, but the 5120x1440 resolution is not available via the gpu and the picture-by-picture method isn't available either because there isn't even a 2560x1440 resolution available, with or without the egpu connected. Anyone having similar issues on Catalina?

BTW, I also tried switchresx but it doesn't run on Catalina yet.

Take a look at your desktop, you'll find a folder with files the OS couldn't move while upgrading it.

Inside there will be the file that switchresx created when adding any custom resolutions.

If you move that file back to its original location it'll work again. I had to do this to get 4096x1440@75hz to work after upgrading due to switchresx still not being compatible.

I also have the Phillips.